Calendar: Sept. 25-Oct. 2

STYLEPhashion Phest
Not to be overshadowed by New York’s recent fashion week, Philadelphia’s own Phashion Phest celebrates local fashion with their 20th annual event. An open bar, salon presentations, student designer displays and a silent auction accompany the runway show. 7pm. $25-$60. The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St. 215.670.4325. phashionphest.com

READINGMargaret Klaw
Local attorney Margaret Klaw stops by UPenn to discuss her new book Keeping It Civil: The Case of the Pre-nup and the Porsche & Other True Accounts from the Files of a Family Lawyer, which draws on real cases from her practice to examine issues including divorce, custody, reproductive technology, marriage equality and domestic violence. 6pm. Free. University of Pennsylvania Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. 215.898.6623. margaretklaw.com

LECTUREWhy Failure Must Be an Option
Indulge your inner sadist and learn how to embrace failure as a business owner. Hear how successful entrepreneurs have “jumped,” failed and kept going in the face of challenge. 5:30pm. $50. University City Science Center, 3711 Market St. 215.966.6000. sciencecenter.org

Thursday, September 26

MUSICKid CudiSince catching the attention of infamous wallflower Kanye West in 2008, rapper/actor Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi has launched a successful career and shows no sign of slowing down, garnering praise from such media outlets as Rolling Stone, Vibe and The Source. After appearing on late-night talk shows like Last Call with Carson Daly, Late Night with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2009, the Cleveland-born Kid Cudi was featured on Jay Z’s highly-anticipated The Blueprint 3 album, lacing the song “Already Home” with his fresh flavor. Cudi’s debut LP, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, was released by Universal Motown in September of that same year and sold 104,419 copies in its first week, bolstered by hits like “Day ‘n’ Night” and “Make Her Say,” featuring such heavy hitters as West and Common. He went on to release his second and third albums, 2010’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager and Indicud earlier this year, and both were received well by critics and fans alike. He’s even managed to extend his reach on screen, featured in short films directed by West and Shia LaBeouf, a number of guest appearances on various television shows, and a regular’s spot on HBO’s now-defunct hipster pseudo-comedy, How to Make It In America.

Whether you’re a fan of psychedelic hip-hop or otherwise, Cudi’s weed- and sex-inspired lyrical antics are definitely fuel for a wild time, at home or in the streets. / KENNEDY ALLEN

SCREENDigital Dharma
When ancient writings of Sanskrit and Tibetan texts vanish during the political turmoil of the ‘50s and ‘60s, the history of a whole society is in danger of disappearing. This documentary focuses on E. Gene Smith, a Mormon pacifist from Utah and the unlikely leader of an effort to rescue, preserve and share these important documents. 7pm. $12. Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. 215.670.2300. kimmelcenter.org

FOODGlobal Tastes
Philadelphia area restaurants gather to offer their twists on foods of the world, all in support of local immigrants and refugees. Live music and a gift raffle will accompany an array of ethnic dishes. 6pm. $75-$175. Horticultural Center, 100 N. Horticultural Drive. 267.825.4248. nscphila.org

LECTUREPennDesign Fine Arts Lecture: Barnaby Furnas
Barnaby Furnas is a New York artist with roots in Philadelphia and graffiti. Hear the painter describe his work, which often depicts violent scenes from history and the Bible, and is created with his own paint made from pigment mixed with urethane. 6:30pm. Free. Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St. 215.898.7108. icaphila.org

COMEDYHang On with Aaron Nevins
Each month, Aaron Nevins hosts a comedy talk show where he sits down with guests while audience wrangler Dan Vetrano combs the aisles for questions. This month’s guests include game show host Marc Summers and comedian Christian Alsis. 8pm. $5. Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St. playsandplayers.org

Friday, September 27

MUSICCity Bisco As far as jam bands go, we can, with clean conscience, pretty comfortably endorse the Disco Biscuits, who veer pretty far from the typical jam band protocol. By blending elements of electronica, jazz and house, they magically whip zoned-out crowds into an enthusiastic fervor. The fact that they call Philadelphia home is an additional feather in our collective caps, though we have, in the past, been brutally honest with our confusion surrounding their shockingly rabid cult following. DB fans will be fully present all weekend of their two-day City Bisco fest, no doubt, but so will some other folk who are lookin’ at just how robust this lineup is. After all, for Day One, those Biscuits got the big and blunted duo of Method Man and Redman, as well as Outkast’s own Big Boi, plus a slew of other like-minded jam peddlers and freakout connoisseurs, 15 in fact, to fatten up a sure-to-satisfy roster of performers.

But that’s the beauty of City Bisco: It capitalizes on the energy and magic that the Biscuits so capably conjure with their sonic concoctions and brings that euphoria—captured in the verdant fields and woods of upstate New York—to a hungry crowd at Fairmount Park. The Mann is the perfect place for the Biscuits to expand on grooves without time constraint, follow a hook noodle as far down the hole as is necessary and riff on a magical moment as long as the crowd demands. The beauty of what they do in 2013 is that they’re meeting the youth where they insist on congregating, but always spiking shows with their expertise in endless sonic experimentation and improvisation. / BILL CHENEVERT

STAGEDutch Masters
In 1992, a young black man and a young white man meet on the D train to the Bronx and strike up a conversation that leads them throughout the city. Part comedy, part drama, this theatrical performance takes a look at race and class issues in the U.S. 8pm. $20-$25. Off-Broad St. Theater, 1636 Sansom St. azukatheatre.org

PARTYSt. Practice Daze
We’ve reached the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than a huge party? Irish stout will be served, and Patsy and Paul will entertain with live Irish music. 5pm. Free. McGillin’s Ale House, 1310 Drury St. 215.735.5562. mcgillins.com

ARTBy Association
Call it six degrees of sep-ART-ation: This exhibition features works by artists connected through mutual acquaintances. Philadelphia artists including Erin Anderson, Shawn Beeks, Melissa Good, Erik Kenney and more participate in this show coordinated by Outside the Frame Collective. Through Sept. 30. Dick Blick, 1330 Chestnut St. facebook.com/outsidetheframecollective

ARTPearl Street Block Party The first-ever Pearl Street Block Party makes its debut in downtown Philadelphia this Saturday: an all-day celebration of fine art, performance and cultural diversity in the Callowhill section of the city and beyond.

The festivities—a project of the Mural Arts Program, the Asian Arts Initiative and others—begin with a ticketed brunch of dim sum and mimosas, and those in attendance will get to hang out with Philly artist Isaac Lin, whose super-colorful mural of peace-sign-waving animals can be spotted at 10th and Spring streets. That starts at 1pm and also includes meet-and-greet sessions with AAI’s brilliant Social Practice Lab artists-in-residence. An hour later, attendees will get a free two-hour class on how to construct tables and chairs from landscape architect Walter Hood, who’ll be in town all the way from Oakland, California, where he’s the principle of his own design studio and teaches at University of California, Berkeley. While that’s happening, there’s set to be live performances, tours and art displays up and down the 1200 block of Pearl Street, and the day will even feature booths where kids of every age can practice screenprinting and pop-up cardmaking. To top it off, the afternoon’s fun is set to end with a community feast, which will actually utilize the seating assembled earlier that day under the supervision of Hood, who partnered with the Asian Arts Initiative to “imagine how Pearl Street can be transformed into a space filled with art and life.”

Some of the Pearl Street Block Party’s participating community groups and art galleries include Jose Sebourne, Practice, Marginal Utility, Vox Populi and the Fleisher Art Memorial’s ColorWheels Van. It’s also being co-hosted by a number of community groups that’ve helped get the Callowhill neighborhood—sometimes known as the Eraserhood—off the ground in recent years, among them the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation and the Callowhill Neighborhood Association. / RANDY LOBASSO

MUSICJoe SatrianiBefore launching his own recording career in the mid-‘80s, Joe Satriani—or “Satch,” as the cool kids call him—made a living as a guitar instructor, giving lessons to eventual success stories like Steve Vai, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Third Eye Blind’s Kevin Cadogan, to name just a few. When he finally released his debut album, Not of This Earth, in 1986, it suddenly became obvious why Satriani was so sought out as a teacher: Even the shortest of tracks, especially the tap-heavy closer “The Headless Horseman,” boasted an enviable virtuosity and understanding of the instrument that only he possessed and others desperately wanted.

Fast-forward almost 30 years later, and while Satch, now 57, still hasn’t enjoyed the same notoriety as his distinguished pupils, he seems to be rather content being a minor blip on most people’s radar. It certainly hasn’t affected his work ethic: He’s been churning out albums at a steady pace, with recent gigs in the supergroup Chickenfoot to keep him extra busy.

So, perhaps it’s fitting that his 14th studio effort, released this past May, is titled Unstoppable Momentum, featuring 45 minutes of visceral space-prog that rival even his magnum opus, 1987’s Surfing with the Alien. The crowd at the Tower Theater may not know what they’re in for when he takes the stage, sporting his trademark shaved head and dark sunglasses and rocking those Ibanez signature guitars. But something tells me they will. / JAKE ABBATE

BENEFITSistas for a CURE
Sistas for a CURE have made it their mission to help people conquer just about every disadvantage imaginable, and their latest fundraiser to combat pediatric cancer has the distinction of also serving as a fashion show. Donations will be collected for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 3pm. $30-$40. Crane Arts Building. 1400 American St. 215.232.3203. sistasforacure.org

DRINKPour The Core: A Hard Cider Festival Philadelphia
The fall season is nothing without a glass of cider to enjoy, especially if it’s with a kick. The first annual Pour the Core festival aims to capitalize on that with imported hard ciders from England, Ireland and Sweden, as well as some of the best locally-produced varieties, all to be enjoyed on the scenic parade grounds of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. 1pm. $10-$65. The Navy Yard. 215.843.9273. pourthecore.com/philly

STAGEAnything Goes
Set sail back to 1934 with composer Cole Porter’s musical Anything Goes, performed by Jardel Drama, an initiative committed to making learning, participating in and watching theater more accessible. The play tells the tale of a smitten stowaway and his quest to court an heiress aboard an ocean liner to London. 7pm. $10. Jardel Recreation Center, 1500 Cottman Ave. 215.685.0596. jardeldrama.wix.com/jardeldrama

CIVICPhilly Peace Day
The City of Brotherly Love, as we know all too well, does a fairly shitty job of living up to that nickname. The Urban Peace Campaign is out to turn all that around, one annual event at a time, with Peace Day Philly. Take part in this worldwide event with socially conscious film screenings at the Walking Fish Theater, a soccer game on the UPenn campus, and much more. 11am. Free. Strawberry Mansion Playground, 34th and Cumberland St. 215.688.6127. peacedayphilly.org

MUSICThe Dodos
This west coast indie-folk duo make a surprisingly big sound for just a drummer and guitarist. Their crisp, catchy melodies continue to evolve on their just released fifth studio album, Carrier. 9:30pm. $15. With Dustin Wong. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com

BENEFITBreathe Deep Philadelphia
Instead of losing hope after the passing of a parent to lung cancer, Pam and John Trovato worked together to co-found this all-day fundraiser, complete with a 3K walk, music, raffle and “bubble ceremony,” where participants will come together and fill the sky with bubbles in memory of lost loved ones. 8:30am. $10-$65. The Piazza at Schmidts, N. Second St. and Germantown Ave. lungevity.org

ARTJeff: Coffins and Cages
Ever wonder what your coffin will look like? Probably not—but not only has artist Jeff envisioned his, he’s conjured up designs for it and will be showing them off—along with an installation of seemingly endless architectural cages and various multi-platform displays playing off the artist’s not-so-subtle interest in confinement and mortality. Through Dec. 6. La Salle University Art Museum, 1900 W. Olney Ave. 215.951.1000. jeffart.com

MUSICToubab Krewe
Not just your average international fusion band, Toubab Krewe looks to give your Saturday night a boost of culture with their Malian-infused American style and one-of-a-kind instrumental combo, including a soku, a Malian horsehair fiddle, two electric guitars and a kora. 9pm. $11-15. The Blockley. 38th & Chestnut St. 215.222.1234. theblockley.com

Sunday, September 29

MUSICFred Hammond and United TenorsYou know how R. Kelly talks about his “gift” and how he’s blessed to continue to perform for his fans? Ol’ Robert pales in comparison to the honest-to-goodness power trapped in Fred Hammond’s pipes, and one of the latter’s biggest charms is that he’s humble about it. He cherishes his faith—which is how he found himself teaming up with three other R&B greats and God-minded men. Hammond spearheads this fantastic foursome in an effort to, as he puts it, show everyone that gospel music isn’t only a woman’s purview. And after years of providing a backbone for the legendary Commissioned, he found the right combination in Eric Roberson, Dave Hollister and Brian Courtney Wilson to do just that.

Their album, United Tenors, dropped in the spring, and Hammond has been looking for the perfect way to perform the tracks they’ve written. He was open to film, theatre and performance to find the ideal avenue for exposing their amazing music, and it looks like the Kimmel Center is where they want to take us higher. The thing about their record is while it’s certainly gospel-minded—and if you listen closely, you’ll hear a lot of sentiments about rejoicing in His power and beauty—heathens can also just tune out the godspeak and groove the hell out, maybe even literally. With the United Tenors’ soaring and powerful vocals perfectly paired with ‘70s funk, full-band disco and modern R&B flavors, you won’t even believe you’re being lit up by Him. / B.C.

FESTIVALArt-Reach Fall Festival
Enjoy a jam-packed day of art, live local music and food from Vernalicious, Hot Diggity and more. The festival celebrates the individuals and agencies behind Art-Reach, an organization which empowers 17,000 underserved individuals annually to contribute to Philadelphia art and culture. Noon. Ridgeland Mansion, 4100 Chamounix Dr. art-reach.org

READINGFiona Zedde
Author of a long list of best-sellers, Fiona Zedde is stopping in Philly for a reading from Broken in Soft Places. Her latest novel tells the tale of Sara, a powerful lawyer who finds herself in a long-term polyamorous relationship with a woman who pushes her limits. 5:30pm. Free. Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. 215.923.2960. giovannisroom.com

Monday, September 30

EVENT2013 Atlas Awards: A Tribute to First Responders
Between Hurricane Sandy, the Sandy Hook shooting and the Boston Marathon bombings, the World Affairs Council has deemed 2013 the year of the first responder. This dinner and award ceremony, which will be presided over on behalf of our nation’s first responders by Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, will pay respect, gratitude and tribute to those first on the scene when disaster strikes. 5:30pm. $95. Loews Philadelphia, 1200 Market St. 215.627.1200. wacphila.org

MUSICMediaeval Baebes
Dominating U.K. classical charts and stealing the hearts of worldwide concertgoers with their beauty and brains, the Mediaeval Baebes will headline the World Cafe Live stage with their multi-lingual modern take on classical music and universal themes. 7pm. $25. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.

Tuesday, October 1

READINGSalman Rushdie
Author Salman Rushdie is just your average writer who published a novel titled The Satanic Verses, which left him no choice but to live under police protection for nearly a decade until the resulting fatwa calling for his death was lifted. Rushdie will discuss his new memoir accompanied by author and screenwriter Martin Amis, whose latest work takes a satirical stab at English tabloid culture. 7:30pm. Central Library, 1901 Vine St. 215.686.5322. freelibrary.org

STYLEJump/Start Fashion Show 2013: Re-tulled
An assignment reminiscent of Project Runway, this live runway show will feature the work from fashion students who have all incorporated tulle into their designs, paying tribute to the Pennsylvania Ballet’s 50th Anniversary. 6pm. Free. Moore College of Art & Design, 1916 Race St. moore.edu

Wednesday, October 2

SCREENThe Language of Film
Sure, everybody loves movies. But if someone were to ask you about the difference between diegesis and mimesis or about the stylistic benefits of utilizing chiaroscuro versus mise-en-scene, chances are you’d respond with an open-mouthed blank stare. How embarrassing, right?

Granted, maybe those topics are rarely brought up during a laid-back discussion, but where’s the harm in having a more well-rounded knowledge of the sacred craft of filmmaking? Fortunately, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is partnering up with the Bryn Mawr Film Institute to present a course designed especially for those looking to understand the field from a more technical perspective and be able to dissect cinema like the pros. Simply called “The Language of Film” and offered during the first four Wednesdays of October, the class is to be led by Andrew J. Douglas, director of education at BMFI.

Douglas, who earned his Ph.D. in film studies from Northwestern University and has gone on to speak before an impressive collection of Philly’s most prestigious arts organizations—including the Philadelphia Theater Company and the Philadelphia Orchestra—will guide participants through the basics of film analysis, placing emphasis on correct terminology and various frames of reference. With enough time and rapt attention, you’ll develop a newfound—if slightly pretentious—degree of sophistication and start thinking less like Statler and Waldorf and more like Ebert and Roeper. / J.A.

SCREENTube Time!
Originally featured in past editions of the New York Underground Film Festival, Tube Time! is coming to the City of Brotherly Love for a night of YouTube videos blown up on the big screen. Curated by the collective of filmmakers, critics and cinema fanatics at Shooting Wall, the 100-minute roundup will be jam packed with videos featuring everything from a typical housewife to an in-depth look at media as a means to capture memories. 7pm. Free. International House, 3701 Chestnut St. 215.387.5125. ihousephilly.org

STAGETruth Values
In response to former Harvard President Lawrence Summers’ remark that women are less represented in the sciences because they are inherently different than men, writer, performer and self-identified “recovering mathematician” Gioia De Cari will play more than 30 characters as she shares her first-hand saga of working in the male-dominated field. 7:30pm. $20. Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. unexpectedtheatre.org

Out of Town

STAGEComic Potential
A satirical stab at the TV business, Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy follows aspiring TV writer Adam, who’s living in a world in the near future where soap opera stars are literally played by robots. Through Oct. 5. 8pm. $15. Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Ave., Swarthmore. pcstheater.org
DRINKKing of Prussia Beerfest Royale
With more than 50 brewers and 100 different beers, even the most uppity beer enthusiast is sure to come across a new favorite at this year’s Beerfest Royale, returning this weekend to suburban Philadelphia. And don’t worry—a free shuttle to and from the regional rail and designated driver services will be available. October 3-5. $40-$55. King of Prussia Mall, 234 Mall Blvd., King of Prussia. kopbeerfest.com

SPORTSWild Safari Cross Country Invitational
Ditch your habitual treadmill workout this weekend, and get your fitness on at the Six Flags safari cross country meet—a 3.1 mile long race set right through the wild safari. Sat., Sept. 28, 9am. Six Flags New Jersey, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, N.J. sixflags.com

STAGEHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Following J. Pierrepont Finch, a window washer who coasted to the top of Worldwide Wickets on a wave of brown-nosing and dumb luck, this award-winning musical parody pokes fun at 1960s corporate America. Through Oct. 6. 8pm. $28. Broadway Theatre of Pitman. 43 S. Broadway., Pitman, N.J. 856.384.8381. thebroadwaytheatre.org

KIDSFaeries and Wizards Family Festival
Throw on your best costume and bring your kids to this fun-filled event, where they can transform themselves into fairies and wizards by making their own hats and wings. Hear fairytales told by—you guessed it—a fairy, and enjoy snacks and treats fit for fairytale creatures. Sun., Sept. 29, 1pm. $6. Camden Children’s Garden, 3 Riverside Dr., Camden, N.J. 856.365.8733. camdenchildrensgarden.org